Multi-objective radiation therapy selection system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating creation of a patient treatment plan includes components configured to receive at least one feature associated with patient data and search a database of previously planned radiation treatments to identify one or more matching plans from the database based on the at least one feature. Parameters corresponding to the identified matching treatment plans may be used to facilitate creation of the patient treatment plan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/885,691, filed on Jan. 31, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/310,925, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,925,391, which claims the benefit of Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/837,754, filed Jun. 21, 2013 and Provisional Application No.61/877,291 filed Sep. 13, 2013, which are each incorporated herein byreference in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is generally related to facilitating creation ofradiation treatment plans.

BACKGROUND

Providing radiation therapy to patients diagnosed with cancer includescreating a radiation treatment plan. Often, where the cancer islocalized in the patient's anatomy, such as in a tumor, the creation ofthe radiation treatment plan involves participation by medical personnelfor solving a difficult geometric problem and/or making judgment callsrelated to the total radiation dose or total dose received by the tumorand nearby healthy tissue, including organs at risk (OARs). Creating theradiation treatment plan can be a time consuming process that involvesmultiple medical personnel providing multiple iterations of thetreatment plan over many days, which may increase the time fromdiagnosis of the cancer to treatment of the cancer.

In an example of a conventional process for the diagnosis and treatmentof tumors, a diagnostic scan, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan,is taken of the patient to localize a tumor and a biopsy of the tumor istaken to histologically verify that the tumor is malignant. Next,treatment contours of the three dimensional envelope defined by thetumor's shape and the shape of the OARs are drawn up and a treatmentprescription is developed by a clinician or an oncologist. The treatmentprescription prescribes a total radiation dose to be delivered to thetumor over the course of treatment and a maximum level of radiation tobe absorbed by the OARS. Next, the treatment prescription is provided tomedical personnel, such as a dosimetrist, and a radiation delivery planis developed by the medical personnel. The radiation delivery planincludes radiation beam orientations, shapes, and fluences using a givenradiation type and delivery method to achieve the radiation levels,including the total dose levels, defined by the treatment prescription.Treatment constraints, including at least the treatment prescription andthe radiation delivery plan, are iteratively changed by the medicalpersonnel to meet minimum standards and to satisfy the oncologist. Thefinal iteration of the radiation delivery plan is used to treat thepatient.

This process for developing a radiation treatment plan can take manydays, especially in cases in which the medical personnel, including thedosimetrist and/or the oncologist, change the treatment constraints overa number of iterative cycles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods forfacilitating creation of patient treatment plans based on parametersfrom previously planned patient treatments. Embodiments of the inventionmay facilitate providing medical personnel with treatment informationfor creating achievable radiation treatment plans, saving hours and daysof labor, and reducing the time from diagnosis of the cancer totreatment of the cancer.

According to Example 1, a system for facilitating creation of a patienttreatment plan comprises memory that stores computer-executableinstructions and at least one processor configured to execute thecomputer-executable instructions, which, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to provide a number of components. In embodiments,the components include a search component configured to identify, basedon one or more features associated with patient data, at least onematching plan from a database of previously planned radiationtreatments; and a user interface configured to present, to a user, oneor more parameters associated with the at least one matching plan.

In Example 2, the system of Example 1, wherein the one or more featuresassociated with patient data include at least one of a physicsparameter, a treatment type parameter, a patient image parameter, and adisease parameter.

In Example 3, the system of any of Examples 1 and 2, wherein the one ormore features associated with patient data include a patient imageparameter and the computer-executable instructions, when executed, causethe at least one processor to further provide a feature extractorconfigured to extract from a patient image the patient image parameter.

In Example 4, the system of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the one or morefeatures associated with patient data include a patient image parameterextracted from a patient image that comprises an imaging scan of thepatient produced by one or more of ionizing energy, acoustic energy,computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emissiontomography, an x-ray, and fluoroscopy.

In Example 5, the system of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the one or moreparameters associated with the at least one matching plan include atleast one of a physics parameter, a treatment type parameter, an imageparameter, and a disease parameter.

In Example 6, the system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a prediction component configured todetermine at least one metric that includes a predictor of a treatmentoutcome.

In Example 7, the system of any of Examples 1-6, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a prediction component configured todetermine at least one metric that includes a combination of two or moreof the parameters associated with the at least one matching plan.

In Example 8, the system of any of Examples 1-7, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a prediction component configured todetermine at least one metric using at least one of a machine learningtechnique, a pattern matching technique, and a data mining technique.

In Example 9, the system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein the searchcomponent is configured to identify a plurality of matching plans fromthe database of previously planned radiation treatments and thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a prediction component configured todetermine at least one metric that is correlated to a treatment dose andto use the at least one metric to facilitate selection of one of theplurality of matching plans.

In Example 10, the system of Example 9, wherein the at least one metriccomprises a predictor of a treatment outcome.

In Example 11, the system of any of Examples 9 and 10, wherein the atleast one metric comprises a combination of two or more of theparameters associated with the at least one matching plan.

In Example 12, the system of any of Examples 9-11, wherein theprediction component is configured to determine the at least one metricusing at least one of a machine learning technique, a pattern matchingtechnique, and a data mining technique.

In Example 13, the system of any of Examples 1-12, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a plan recommendation component configuredto recommend at least one of the previously planned radiationtreatments.

In Example 14, the system of Example 13, wherein the plan recommendationcomponent is configured to cause at least one parameter from the atleast one matching plan to be inserted automatically into the patienttreatment plan.

In Example 15, the system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a prediction component configured todetermine at least one metric that is correlated to a treatment dose.

In Example 16, the system of Example 15, wherein the search component isconfigured to identify a plurality of matching plans from the databaseof previously planned radiation treatments, and the prediction componentis configured to use the at least one metric to facilitate selection ofone of the plurality of matching plans.

In Example 17, the system of any of Examples 15 and 16, wherein the atleast one metric comprises a predictor of a treatment outcome.

In Example 18, the system of any of Examples 15-17, wherein the at leastone metric comprises a combination of two or more of the parametersassociated with the at least one matching plan.

In Example 19, the system of any of Examples 15-18, wherein theprediction component is configured to determine the at least one metricusing at least one of a machine learning technique, a pattern matchingtechnique, and a data mining technique.

In Example 20, the system of any of Examples 15-19, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a plan recommendation component configuredto recommend at least one of the previously planned radiationtreatments.

In Example 21, the system of Example 20, wherein the plan recommendationcomponent is configured to cause at least one parameter from the atleast one matching plan to be inserted automatically into the patienttreatment plan.

In Example 22, the system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further provide a plan recommendation component configuredto recommend at least one of the previously planned radiationtreatments.

In Example 23, the system of Example 22, wherein the plan recommendationcomponent is configured to cause at least one parameter from the atleast one matching plan to be inserted automatically into the patienttreatment plan.

In Example 24, the system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to further cause at least one parameter from the at least onematching plan to be inserted automatically into the patient treatmentplan.

In Example 25, the system of any of Examples 1-24, wherein the memoryand the at least one processor are located remotely with respect to apoint of care that uses the system.

In an Example 26, a method for facilitating creation of a patienttreatment plan comprises receiving, by a processor, at least one featureassociated with patient data; searching, by the processor, a database ofpreviously planned radiation treatments; identifying, by the processor,a plurality of matching plans from the database based on the at leastone feature; and determining, by the processor, at least one metric thatis correlated to a treatment dose.

In Example 27, the method of Example 26, further comprising presenting,by a user interface, at least one parameter corresponding to theplurality of matching treatment plans.

In Example 28, the method of any of Examples 26 and 27, furthercomprising inserting, by the processor, into the patient treatment planat least one parameter corresponding to the plurality of matchingtreatment plans.

In Example 29, the method of any of Examples 26-28, further comprisingextracting the at least one feature from an imaging scan of the patient.

In Example 30, the method of any of Examples 26-29, wherein determining,by the processor, the at least one metric that is correlated to atreatment dose comprises determining the at least one metric using atleast one of a machine learning technique, a pattern matching technique,a data mining technique.

In Example 31, the method of any of Examples 26-30, further comprisingselecting, by the processor and based on the at least one metric, one ofthe plurality of matching treatment plans.

In Example 32, the method of Example 31, further comprising presenting,by a display device, at least one parameter corresponding to theselected one of the plurality of matching treatment plans.

In Example 33, the method of any of Examples 31 and 32, furthercomprising inserting, by the processor, into the patient treatment planat least one parameter corresponding to the selected one of theplurality of matching treatment plans.

In Example 34, the method of any of Examples 31-33, further comprisingextracting the at least one feature from an imaging scan of the patient.

In Example 35, the method of any of Examples 31-34, wherein determining,by the processor, the at least one metric that is correlated to atreatment dose comprises determining the at least one metric using atleast one of a machine learning technique, a pattern matching technique,a data mining technique.

In an Example 36, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia have computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to instantiate a pluralityof computer program components. In embodiments, the plurality ofcomputer program components comprise a search component configured toidentify, based on one or more features associated with patient data, aplurality of matching plans from a database of previously plannedradiation treatments; a prediction component configured to determine atleast one metric that is correlated to a treatment dose and tofacilitate selection of one of the plurality of matching plans using theat least one metric; and a user interface configured to present, to auser, one or more parameters associated with the one of the plurality ofmatching plans.

In Example 37, the media of Example 36, wherein the at least one metricincludes at least one of a predictor of a treatment outcome and acombination of two or more of the parameters associated with the one ofthe plurality of matching plans.

In Example 38, the media of any of Examples 36 and 37, wherein theplurality of computer program components comprises a plan recommendationcomponent configured to cause at least one parameter from the one of theplurality of matching plans to be inserted automatically into a patienttreatment plan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for facilitatingcreation of a patient treatment plan in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an extraction system for creatinga processed database from a medical data database in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another system for facilitatingcreation of a patient treatment plan in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device forimplementing aspects of a system for facilitating creation of atreatment plan in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting an illustrative method forfacilitating creation of a patient treatment plan in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

While the present invention is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and are described in detail below. The presentinvention, however, is not limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to coverall modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within theambit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Although the term “block” may be used herein to connote differentelements illustratively employed, the term should not be interpreted asimplying any requirement of, or particular order among or between,various steps disclosed herein unless and except when explicitlyreferring to the order of individual steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for facilitatingcreation of a patient treatment plan in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. The system 100 may be used, for example, to facilitatecreation of a radiation treatment plan for a cancer patient. Inembodiments, non-transitory computer-readable storage media or memorythat stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processorconfigured to execute the computer-executable instructions may provideone or more components of the system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the system100 includes a search component 102, a user interface 104, and adatabase 106. The search component 102 is communicatively coupled to thedatabase 106 by communications path 108 and to the user interface 104 bycommunications path 110. Additionally, in embodiments, the userinterface 104 may be communicatively coupled to the database 106.

The communications paths 108 and 110 may include any type ofcommunication path suitable for facilitating unidirectional and/orbidirectional communications between the connected components. Forexample, the communications paths 108 and 110 may be, or include, wiredcommunications paths, wireless communications paths, and/or acombination thereof. In embodiments, communication path 108 and 110 maybe, or include, a network or networks. The network may be, or include,any number of different types of communication networks such as, forexample, a bus network, a short messaging service (SMS), a local areanetwork (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, a P2P network, and/or the like. In embodiments, the networkmay include a combination of multiple networks.

The database 106 may be, or include, one or more tables, one or morerelational databases, one or more multi-dimensional data cubes, and/orthe like. Further, though illustrated as a single component, thedatabase 106 may, in fact, be a plurality of databases 106 such as, forinstance, a database cluster, which may be implemented on a singlecomputing device or distributed between a number of computing devices,memory components, or the like. According to embodiments, the database106 may include information associated with previously planned radiationtreatments such as, for example, previously planned radiation treatmentsthat were approved for use on patients by medical personnel, previouslyplanned radiation treatments that were used on patients by medicalpersonnel, and/or the like. In embodiments, treatment outcomes may beincluded in the database 106. In embodiments, the database 106 includesa medical data database that includes medical data associated with thepreviously planned radiation treatments. In embodiments, the database106 includes a processed database configured to store selected data thathave been extracted and, in embodiments, transformed (e.g., using aprocess for determining one or more characteristics, as described inmore detail below), from a medical data database and stored in theprocessed database.

According to embodiments of the invention, the search component 102 maybe any type of search component configured to search the database 106using one or more features associated with patient data and identifiesone or more radiation treatment plans from the database 106 that matchesthe one or more features associated with the patient data. Inembodiments, a radiation treatment plan that matches a feature may referto, for example, a treatment plan having one or more characteristics(e.g., parameters, features, metrics, aspects, and/or the like) that areidentical to, similar to, associated with, correlated with, and/orderivable from the feature (or features), one or more characteristics(e.g., parameters, features, metrics, aspects, and/or the like) of thefeatures, and/or the like. In embodiments, any number of different typesof searching techniques and/or algorithms may be utilized to identifymatching treatment plans, and may include statistical techniques,pattern-matching techniques, artificial intelligence techniques, and/orthe like. In embodiments, for example, the search component 102 mayinclude a search engine, a query module, a database managementcomponent, and/or the like. The search component 102 may receive the oneor more features associated with the patient data from the userinterface 104. That is, for example, a user (e.g., a clinician) mayinput, via the user interface 104, search criteria including the one ormore features associated with the patient data. In embodiments, thesearch component 102 may receive search criteria from other sources inaddition to, or in lieu of, the user interface 104.

The one or more features associated with patient data may include aphysics parameter, a treatment type parameter, a patient imageparameter, a disease parameter, and/or the like. In embodiments, physicsparameters may be, or include, for example, penumbra, aperture, incidentangle, beam energy, radiation type, depth of structure, existence ofbolus, and/or the like. Treatment type parameters may be, or include,fractionation schedule, treatment margin, number of beams/arcs,interpretation of contours, the clinicians who are part of the teamcreating the radiation treatment plan, and/or the like. Patient imageparameters may be, or include, distance, volume, geometric relationship,importance of structures and surrounding structures, and/or the like.Disease parameters may be, or include, disease stage, prior or posttreatment therapy, prior radiation therapy, prior radiation damage tonearby tissue, disease type, disease histology, extent of the disease,prior disease, and/or the like.

According to embodiments, the search component 102 searches the database106 using at least one of the features, which may include the physicsparameters, the treatment type parameters, the patient image parameters,and the disease parameters, and matches the at least one parameter toinformation (e.g., at least one treatment plan, at least one feature, atleast one parameter, and/or the like) from the database 106. Forexample, by matching the at least one parameter to one or morepreviously planned radiation treatments, embodiments of the inventionmay facilitate selection of the closest matching treatments forproviding information to medical personnel and/or facilitating creationof a patient treatment plan.

According to embodiments, the user interface 104 may be configured topresent, to a user, one or more parameters associated with the radiationtreatment plan (or plans) identified by the search component 102. Inembodiments, the user interface 104 may provide read and/or write accessto the search component 102 and/or the database 106. In embodiments, theuser interface 104 may be, include, and/or be configured to interactwith a keyboard, a mouse, a visual display, and/or the like. Inembodiments, for example, the user interface 104 may be, or include,text output, print-outs, and/or the like, and/or a graphical userinterface (GUI) implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or acombination thereof.

The one or more parameters associated with the treatment plan or plansidentified by the search component 102 may include a physics parameter,a treatment type parameter, an image parameter, a disease parameter,and/or the like. In embodiments, physics parameters may be, or include,penumbra, aperture, incident angle, beam energy, radiation type, depthof structure, existence of bolus, and/or the like. Treatment typeparameters may be, or include, fractionation schedule, treatment margin,number of beams/arcs, interpretation of contours, the clinicians who arepart of the team creating the radiation treatment plan, and/or the like.Patient image parameters related to the patient's anatomy may be, orinclude, distance, volume, geometric relationship, importance ofstructures and surrounding structures, and/or the like. Diseaseparameters may be, or include, disease stage, prior or post treatmenttherapy, prior radiation therapy, prior radiation damage to nearbytissue, disease type, disease histology, extent of the disease, priordisease, and/or the like.

The illustrative system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to suggestany limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments ofthe present invention. Neither should the illustrative system 100 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement related to anysingle component or combination of components illustrated therein.Additionally, any one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 1 maybe, in embodiments, integrated with various ones of the other componentsdepicted therein (and/or components not illustrated), all of which areconsidered to be within the ambit of the present invention. For example,the user interface 104 may be integrated with the search component 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an extraction system 200 forcreating a processed database 202 from a medical data database 204 inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. In embodiments, theprocessed database 202 and/or the medical database 204 may be, include,be identical to, and/or be similar to database 106 shown in FIG. 1. Theprocessed database 202 and/or the medical database 204 may be, orinclude, one or more tables, one or more relational databases, one ormore multi-dimensional data cubes, and/or the like. Further, though eachis illustrated as a single component, the processed database 202 and/orthe medical database 204 may, in fact, be a plurality of databases 202,204 such as, for instance, a database cluster, which may be implementedon a single computing device or distributed between a number ofcomputing devices, memory components, or the like.

According to embodiments, the extraction system 200 includes a databaseextractor 206 configured to create the processed database 202. Thedatabase extractor 206 may be configured to extract information from themedical data database 204 and stores the extracted information in theprocessed database 202. In embodiments, the database extractor 206 maybe configured to process the extracted information before saving it inthe processed database 202. For example, the database extractor 206 maybe configured to extract certain parameters, compute additionalparameters and/or metrics based on the extracted parameters, and storethe computed parameters and/or metrics in the processed database 202. Inembodiments, non-transitory computer-readable storage media or memorythat stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processorconfigured to execute the computer-executable instructions may providethe database extractor 206, the medical database 204, and/or theprocessed database 202.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the database extractor 206 may becommunicatively coupled to the medical data database 204 bycommunications path 208 and to the processed database 202 bycommunications path 210. The communications paths 208 and 210 mayinclude any type of communication path suitable for facilitatingunidirectional and/or bidirectional communications between the connectedcomponents. For example, the communications paths 208 and 210 may be, orinclude, wired communications paths, wireless communications paths,and/or a combination thereof. In embodiments, communication path 208 and210 may be, or include, a network or networks. The network may be, orinclude, any number of different types of communication networks suchas, for example, a bus network, a short messaging service (SMS), a localarea network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN),the Internet, a P2P network, and/or the like. In embodiments, thenetwork may include a combination of multiple networks.

The illustrative system 200 shown in FIG. 2 is not intended to suggestany limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments ofthe present invention. Neither should the illustrative system 200 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement related to anysingle component or combination of components illustrated therein.Additionally, any one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 2 maybe, in embodiments, integrated with various ones of the other componentsdepicted therein (and/or components not illustrated), all of which areconsidered to be within the ambit of the present invention. For example,the processed database 202 may be integrated with the medical datadatabase 204.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another system 300 forfacilitating creation of a patient treatment plan in accordance withembodiments of the invention. The system 300 may be used, for example,to facilitate creation of a radiation treatment plan for a cancerpatient. In embodiments, non-transitory computer-readable storage mediaor memory that stores computer-executable instructions, and at least oneprocessor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions maybe used to provide one or more components of the system 300.

As shown in FIG. 3, the system 300 includes a search component 302, auser interface 304, and a database 306. The search component 302 may be,include, be identical to, and/or be similar to the search component 102(shown in FIG. 1); the user interface 304 may be, include, be identicalto, and/or be similar to the user interface 104 (shown in FIG. 1); andthe database 306 may be, include, be identical to, and/or be similar tothe database 106 (shown in FIG. 1), the processed database 202 (shown inFIG. 2), and/or the medical database 204 (shown in FIG. 2). As isfurther shown in FIG. 3, the system 300 includes a patient data source308, a feature extractor 310, a prediction component 312, a planrecommendation component 314, a therapy machine control interface 316, atherapy machine 318, and a workstation 320.

The search component 302 may be configured to search the database 306using one or more features associated with patient data (e.g., that isobtained by the patient data source 308) and identify one or moretreatment plans 322 from the database 306 that match the one or morefeatures associated with the patient data. According to embodiments,patient data may include information about a patient 324 such as, forexample, one or more physics parameters, treatment type parameters,patient image parameters, disease parameters, and/or the like. Inembodiments, the search component 302 searches the database 306 andidentifies a number of treatment plans 322 in the database 306 thatmatch the one or more features associated with the patient data.According to embodiments, the search component 302 may receive one ormore features associated with the patient data via the patient datasource 308, the user interface 304, and/or the like. Additionally, inembodiments, the search component 302 may be configured to be modified(e.g., enhanced) during use. That is, for example, the search component302 may include aspects of artificial intelligence (e.g., one or moreclassifiers, neural networks, and/or other machine-learning techniques)that enable the search component to be dynamically updated based onexplicit and/or inferred user preferences, search result trends, and/orthe like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the search component 302 is communicatively coupledto the database 306 by communications path 326 and to the predictioncomponent 312 by communications path 328. The prediction component 312is communicatively coupled to the feature extractor 310 bycommunications path 330 and the feature extractor 310 is communicativelycoupled to the patient data source 308 by communications path 332. Theplan recommendation component 314 is communicatively coupled to theprediction component 312 by communications path 334, to the searchcomponent 302 by communications path 336, and to the user interface 304by communications path 338. The user interface 304 is communicativelycoupled to the therapy machine control interface 316 by communicationspath 340 and to the workstation by communications path 342. The therapymachine control interface 316 is communicatively coupled to the therapymachine 318 by communications path 344.

The communications paths 326-344 may include any type of communicationpath suitable for facilitating unidirectional and/or bidirectionalcommunications between the connected components. For example, thecommunications paths 326-344 may be, or include, wired communicationspaths, wireless communications paths, and/or a combination thereof. Inembodiments, communication paths 326-344 may be, or include, a networkor networks. The network may be, or include, any number of differenttypes of communication networks such as, for example, a bus network, ashort messaging service (SMS), a local area network (LAN), a wirelessLAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a P2P network,and/or the like. In embodiments, the network may include a combinationof multiple networks.

According to embodiments, the feature extractor 310 may be configured toextract information, including patient image parameters that includegeometrical and compositional features related to the anatomy of thepatient 324, from patient data obtained by the patient data source 308.In embodiments, the feature extractor 310 may provide the extractedinformation to the search component 302 (e.g., via a communications pathnot illustrated in FIG. 3), through the prediction component 312, and/orthe like. The search component 302 may receive one or more featuresassociated with patient data such as, for example, patient imageparameters, and may use the received features to search the database306. In embodiments, patient imaging parameters may include distance,volume, geometric relationship, importance of structures and surroundingstructures in the patient 324, and/or the like. In embodiments, features(e.g., patient imaging parameters) may be provided to the searchcomponent 302 via the user interface 304.

In embodiments, the patient data source 308 may be, or include, apatient imaging system configured to obtain patient images, from whichpatient image parameters may be extracted. In such embodiments, theimaging system may obtain an image of the patient 324 and stores theimage in a database (e.g., database 306). The feature extractor 310 maybe configured to extract patient image parameters from the image of thepatient 324 and provide the extracted patient image parameters to theprediction component 312 and/or the search component 302. According toembodiments, patient imaging systems may use ionizing energy to producean image of the patient 324. In embodiments, patient imaging systems mayuse acoustic energy to produce an image of the patient 324. Inembodiments, patient imaging systems may use any number and/orcombination of these and/or other technologies such as, for example,computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emissiontomography, x-ray, fluoroscopy, and/or the like. In embodiments, thepatient data source 308 may include medical data about the patient suchas, for example, current and historical data which may include patienthistory, and/or the like, and which may be stored one any number ofdatabases. In embodiments, the patient data source 308 may include asource of demographic data, financial data, and/or any other type ofdata related to the patient. The patient data source 308 may include anynumber of different types of sources such as, for example, internaldatabases, memory devices, networks, external servers, third partyvendors, a user interface, a machine interface (e.g., an interface to apatient monitoring device), and/or the like.

According to embodiments, the prediction component 312 may determine atleast one metric related to patient treatment and, where the searchcomponent 302 identifies a number of treatment plans 322, the predictioncomponent 312 may facilitate selection of one or more of the identifiedtreatment plans 322 using the at least one metric. In embodiments,metrics may be correlated to a radiation treatment dose and/or mayinclude a predictor of a treatment outcome.

The prediction component 312 may determine the at least one metric usinginformation in the database 306, patient data, and/or the like. Inembodiments, the prediction component 312 may be configured to determinethe at least one metric using any number of different types oftechniques, algorithms, and/or the like such as, for example, machinelearning techniques, pattern matching techniques, data miningtechniques, ensemble techniques, and/or the like. In embodiments, forexample, the prediction component 312 may be configured to determine theat least one metric using a neural net, a support vector machine, and/orthe like. In embodiments, the at least one metric may include acombination of two or more of the parameters associated with the one ormore treatment plans 322 (e.g., treatment plans identified by the searchcomponent 302). In embodiments, the prediction component 312 may receivetreatment parameters from the user interface 304. In embodiments, theprediction component 312 may receive one or more patient imageparameters from the feature extractor 310.

According to embodiments, the plan recommendation component 314 may beconfigured to recommend at least one of the previously planned radiationtreatments (e.g., one or more identified treatment plans 322) to a user.In embodiments, the plan recommendation component 314 may be configuredto cause one or more parameters to be inserted (e.g., automatically, inresponse to a user input, etc.) into a patient treatment plan beingcreated using aspects of embodiments of the system 300.

The user interface 304 may be configured to present one or moreparameters, to a user 346, from a treatment plan or plans identified bythe search component 302, including, for example, a treatment planselected using a metric determined by the prediction component 312. Inembodiments, the user interface 304 may provide read and/or write accessto a patient treatment plan being created for the patient 324. That is,for example, according to embodiments, a user 346, via the userinterface 304, may view matching treatment plans identified by thesearch component 302; view and/or edit a patient treatment plan beingcreated for the patient 324; interact with (e.g., obtain data from,monitor, control, and/or the like) the therapy machine 318; and/or thelike. For example, a final radiation treatment plan created for thepatient 324 may be provided for configuring the therapy machine 318 viathe therapy machine control interface 316. In embodiments, user 346 mayinteract with the therapy machine control interface 316 via the userinterface 304, via another user interface (not illustrated), and/or thelike. In embodiments, the therapy machine control interface 316facilitates interaction with, and/or control of, the therapy machine318, which is configured to deliver radiation therapy to the patient324.

In embodiments, the user interface 304 may provide read and/or writeaccess to any one or more components depicted in FIG. 3. In embodiments,the user interface 304 may be, include, and/or be configured to interactwith a keyboard, a mouse, a visual display, and/or the like. Inembodiments, for example, the user interface 304 may be, or include, agraphical user interface (GUI) implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or a combination thereof.

The illustrative system 300 shown in FIG. 3 is not intended to suggestany limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments ofthe present invention. Neither should the illustrative system 300 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement related to anysingle component or combination of components illustrated therein.Additionally, any one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 3 maybe, in embodiments, integrated with various ones of the other componentsdepicted therein (and/or components not illustrated), all of which areconsidered to be within the ambit of the present invention. For example,the prediction component 312 may be integrated with the search component302, the plan recommendation component, and/or the like. Additionally,in embodiments, the user interface 304 may be integrated with thetherapy machine control interface 316, and/or hosted by the workstation320, which, in embodiments, may be integrated with, include, or beincluded within the therapy machine 318.

According to embodiments, any one or more components of embodiments ofthe systems described herein (e.g., the system 100, the system 200, thesystem 300, and/or the like) may be implemented on a computing device402 that includes a processor 404, a memory 406, and an input/output(I/O) component 408. Various aspects and/or components of embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented on a single computing device 402, onmultiple computing devices 402, in multiple server instances (e.g., as aserver cluster), instantiated within multiple virtual machines, and/orthe like. In embodiments, the processor 404 executes various programcomponents stored in the memory 406, which may facilitate creation of apatient treatment plan. In embodiments, the processor 404 may be, orinclude, one processor or multiple processors. In embodiments, the I/Ocomponent 408 may be, or include, one or more devices and/or userinterfaces (e.g., the user interface 104, the user interface 304, and/orthe like), and may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or acombination thereof Examples of I/O devices include, for example, amonitor, a keyboard, a printer, a disk drive, a universal serial bus(USB) port, a speaker, pointer device, a trackball, a button, a switch,a touch screen, and the like.

The computing device 402 may include any type of computing devicesuitable for implementing embodiments of the invention. Examples ofcomputing devices include specialized computing devices orgeneral-purpose computing devices such “workstations,” “servers,”“laptops,” “desktops,” “tablet computers,” “hand-held devices,” and thelike, all of which are contemplated within the scope of the figures withreference to various components of the embodiments of the invention. Inembodiments, a computing device includes a bus that, directly and/orindirectly, couples the following devices: a processor, a memory, aninput/output (I/O) port, an I/O component, and a power supply. Anynumber of additional components, different components, and/orcombinations of components may also be included in the computing device.The bus represents what may be one or more busses (such as, for example,an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Similarly, inembodiments, the computing device may include a number of processors, anumber of memory components, a number of I/O ports, a number of I/Ocomponents, and/or a number of power supplies. Additionally any numberof these components, or combinations thereof, may be distributed and/orduplicated across a number of computing devices, which may bedistributed geographically.

In embodiments, the memory 406 includes computer-readable media in theform of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and may be removable,nonremovable, or a combination thereof. Media examples include RandomAccess Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory; optical orholographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices; data transmissions; or anyother medium that can be used to store information and can be accessedby a computing device such as, for example, quantum state memory, andthe like. In embodiments, the memory 406 stores computer-executableinstructions for causing the processor 404 to implement aspects ofembodiments of system components discussed herein and/or to performaspects of embodiments of methods and procedures discussed herein.

Computer-executable instructions may include, for example, computercode, machine-useable instructions, and the like such as, for example,program components capable of being executed, manipulated, edited,presented, and/or stored, by one or more processors associated with acomputing device. Examples of such program components include a searchcomponent 410 (which may be, include, be identical to, and/or be similarto the search component 102 depicted in FIG. 1 and/or the searchcomponent 302 depicted in FIG. 3); a database 412 (which may be,include, be identical to, and/or be similar to the database 106 depictedin FIG. 1, the processed database 202 depicted in FIG. 2, the medicaldatabase 204 depicted in FIG. 2, and/or the database 306 depicted inFIG. 3); a prediction component 414 (which may be, include, be identicalto, and/or be similar to the prediction component 312 depicted in FIG.3); a plan recommendation component 416 (which may be, include, beidentical to, and/or be similar to the plan recommendation component 314depicted in FIG. 3); a feature extractor 418 (which may be, include, beidentical to, and/or be similar to the feature extractor 310 depicted inFIG. 3); a patient treatment plan 420 (which may be, include, beidentical to, and/or be similar to the patient treatment plans 322depicted in FIG. 3); and/or the like. Some or all of the functionalitycontemplated herein may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software,and/or the like.

The illustrative computing device 402 shown in FIG. 4 is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality ofembodiments of the present invention. Neither should the illustrativecomputing device 402 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement related to any single component or combination of componentsillustrated therein. Additionally, any one or more of the componentsdepicted in FIG. 4 may be, in embodiments, integrated with various onesof the other components depicted therein (and/or components notillustrated), all of which are considered to be within the ambit of thepresent invention. For example, in embodiments, the processor 404 andthe memory 406 may be located remotely with respect to a point of care(e.g., the therapy machine 318 depicted in FIG. 3) that uses the systemfor creating the radiation treatment plan.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting an illustrative method 500 forfacilitating creation of a patient treatment plan in accordance withembodiments of the invention. In embodiments, aspects of embodiments ofthe method 500 may be performed, for example, by one or more componentsof embodiments of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1, the system 200depicted in FIG. 2, the system 300 depicted in FIG. 3, and/or thecomputing device 402 depicted in FIG. 4.

The illustrative method 500 includes receiving at least one featureassociated with patient data (block 502). In embodiments, the at leastone feature associated with patient data may be provided through a userinterface, a patient data source (e.g., the patient data source 308depicted in FIG. 3), and/or the like. The at least one featureassociated with patient data may include, for example, at least one of aphysics parameter, a treatment type parameter, a patient imageparameter, a disease parameter, and/or the like. In embodiments, toprovide at least one patient image parameter, an imaging system may beconfigured to obtain an image of the patient from which a featureextractor may extract the at least one patient image parameter.

In embodiments, a physics parameter may include a penumbra, aperture,incident angle, beam energy, radiation type, depth of structure,existence of bolus, and/or the like. A treatment type parameter mayinclude fractionation schedule, treatment margin, number of beams/arcs,interpretation of contours, the clinicians who are part of the teamcreating the radiation treatment plan, and/or the like. A patient imageparameter may include distance, volume, geometric relationship,importance of structures and surrounding structures, and/or the like.Additionally, in embodiments, a disease parameter may include diseasestage, prior or post treatment therapy, prior radiation therapy, priorradiation damage to nearby tissue, disease type, disease histology,extent of the disease, prior disease, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, embodiments of the method 500 include searching adatabase (e.g., the database 412 depicted in FIG. 4) of previouslyplanned radiation treatments (block 504). In embodiments, for example, asearch component (e.g., the search component 410 depicted in FIG. 4)searches the database using the at least one feature associated withpatient data. In embodiments, the database includes previously plannedradiation treatments that have been approved for use on patients bymedical personnel. In embodiments, the database includes previouslyplanned radiation treatments that have been used on patients by medicalpersonnel, such that results and/or outcomes may be included in thedatabase.

Embodiments of the method 500 further include identifying at least onematching treatment plan based on the at least one feature associatedwith patient data (block 506). For example, in embodiments, the searchcomponent may identify the at least one matching treatment plan from thedatabase, which matches the at least one feature associated with patientdata. In embodiments, the processor searches the database and identifiesa number of matching treatment plans in the database that match the atleast one feature associated with patient data.

Embodiments of the method 500 further include determining at least onemetric that is correlated to a treatment dose (block 508). Inembodiments, for example, a prediction component (e.g., the predictioncomponent 414 depicted in FIG. 4) may be configured to determine the atleast one metric using the database of previously planned treatments. Inembodiments, the prediction component may determine the at least onemetric using a machine learning technique, a pattern matching technique,a data mining technique, an ensemble technique, and/or the like. The atleast one metric may be used, for example, to select one or morematching treatment plans from a number of matching treatment plansidentified by the search component.

In embodiments, the method 500 includes presenting, by a user interface,at least one parameter corresponding to the at least one matchingtreatment plan or plans identified by the search component (block 510).In this manner, embodiments of the invention may facilitate providing auser the opportunity to review the parameter(s) for inclusion in apatient treatment plan that is being created by the user. Inembodiments, a plan recommendation component (e.g., the planrecommendation component 416 depicted in FIG. 4) may be used to insertinto a patient treatment plan at least one parameter corresponding tothe at least one matching treatment plan.

While embodiments of the present invention are described withspecificity, the description itself is not intended to limit the scopeof this patent. Thus, the inventors have contemplated that the claimedinvention might also be embodied in other ways, to include differentsteps or features, or combinations of steps or features similar to theones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies.

The following is claimed:
 1. A system for facilitating creation of apatient treatment plan, the system comprising: memory that storescomputer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configuredto execute the computer-executable instructions, which, when executed,cause the at least one processor to provide: a search componentconfigured to identify, based on one or more features associated withpatient data, at least one matching plan from a database of previouslyplanned radiation treatments; and a user interface configured topresent, to a user, one or more parameters associated with the at leastone matching plan.